Nasdaq Buys Options Exchange Operator For $1.1 Billion

Nasdaq said Wednesday it has agreed to acquire International Securities Exchange, an operator of three electronic options exchanges, from Deutsche B�rse Group for $1.1 billion. The deal is expected to be accretive to Nasdaq earnings within 12 months of closing and "deliver attractive returns on capital," the company said in a statement. Nasdaq said it intends to fund the purchase price through a mix of debt and cash on hand. The deal is currently expected to close in the second half of 2016. Shares of Nasdaq were halted late Wednesday after ending the regular trading session up 0.8%.